Dr. Kenneth R. Hansen, O.D.

Founder of Ankeny Family Vision Center,
Optometrist

Dr. Ken Hansen birthed a dream in 1976 and his dream became a reality in October 1977 as Ankeny Family Vision Center.  The "family" part meaning all who enter our doors would become a member of our family.  Now 39 years later, 2 and 3 generations of those first "family" members are still with him!

Dr. Hansen wanted to live a life of purpose - and saw Ankeny Family Vision Center as his ministry - his calling from the Lord.  He has served and met the needs of this great community well; from his involvement early on in Rotary to now being on the Board of Directors of Faith Baptist Bible College.  His heart is, and always will be, the people of Ankeny.

Dr. Hansen graduated from the University of Houston with his Doctor of Optometry in 1974. He served in the military for 17 years as both a Naval officer and the optometrist for the Iowa Army National Guard. 

He specializes in fitting hard-to-fit contact lenses, as well as providing individualized, comprehensive, and preventative eye health exams, co-managing surgery patients, and seeing patients with primary care needs.

January 2, 2017 Dr. Hansen stepped down as owner of Ankeny Family Vision Center.  He is not retiring; he loves what he does.  He will continue to see patients his normal working days.  He feels it is time to allow Dr. Pietig to stretch her wings and continue his legacy of ministry to all of you!

Dr. Hansen and his wife, Marcia, will continue to be a vital part of Ankeny Family Vision Center through their support and encouragement!

Drs Todd and Mandy Pietig

Owners of Ankeny Family Vision Center 

Dr. Mandy Mataya Pietig, O.D.

Owner of Ankeny Family Vision Center,
Optometrist

Dr. Mandy Pietig is the owner of Ankeny Family Vision Center as of January 2, 2017.  Dr. Pietig has worked with Dr. Hansen since 2009 and shown herself capable of taking this office to new heights.  She is young, energetic, and business-minded.  She has a vision for the practice and is looking forward to continuing the legacy that Dr. Hansen has planted and nurtured the last 39 years.

Dr. Pietig is a native of Madrid and received her Doctor of Optometry in 2007 from the Illinois College of Optometry.  She is an outstanding optometrist and treats each patient with individualized and comprehensive eye health care.

Dr. Pietig is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of all patients and specializes in working with those patients experiencing dry eyes, diabetes, high blood pressure and glaucoma as well as many childhood conditions, such as lazy eye and amblyopia.  She also takes a special interest in unique and difficult-to-fit contact lenses.

Dr. Pietig also enjoys seeing pediatric patients starting at 6 months of age through our InfantSEE Program.  Many eye conditions do not show symptoms that can be identified by a parent or well-baby check.  Vision development and eye health problems are easier to correct if treatment begins early.

Dr. Pietig is married to Dr. Todd Pietig, an optometrist, and they reside in Ankeny. Three boys take up their time out of the office.

 Dr. Tilena Waters, O.D.

 Optometrist

Raised in Marion, Iowa, Dr. Tilena Waters received her Doctor of Optometry in 2006 from the Illinois College of Optometry.  She completed a residency in Pediatrics and Primary Care at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 2007.  Dr. Waters's passion for optometry led her to further post-doctorate education.  She received a Fellowship in the prestigious American Academy of Optometry in 2010. 

Dr. Waters joined Ankeny Family Vision Center in February 2017.  Her extensive education allows her to diagnose and treat patients of all ages.  In addition to providing comprehensive and preventative eye care, Dr. Waters treats patients with conditions such as dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, and diabetes.  She is specialized in treating childhood vision dysfunctions such as amblyopia, binocular vision dysfunctions, and visual information processing disorders. 

Outside of the office, she and her husband, Dan, enjoy traveling, spending time with family, gardening, photography, and going on walks with their dog, Sofi.

Crystal

Director of Operations,
Office Manager

Crystal joined AFVC in April of 2017.  She proudly serves AFVC as the Director of Operations, Office Manager.

Crystal studied at DMACC of Ankeny.  Originally from the Cedar Falls, IA, area Crystal and her family now call Ames home.

While Crystal takes pride in being part of the AFVC team, her favorite role is wife to her husband, Tyson, and mom to their four children, Klaire (16), Emmie (12), Parker (7), and Charlie (6).  She is passionate about her faith, family, and fully living the ups and downs of life.

You may email Crystal at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Barbara, A.B.O.C., N.C.L.E.C.

Certified Optician,
Certified Contact Lens Technician

Barbara has been a part of AFVC for over 7 years.  She received her training in Opticianry in Minnesota and Colorado. 

Her knowledge and experience in eye care allows her the ability to help you with frame styling, custom fitting of eyewear, making adjustments as needed, filling prescription eyewear, and educating patients on the latest in digital lens design and coatings.

Barbara also assists our doctors with diagnostic testing and trains in the use and care of contact lenses. 

Barbara enjoys spending time with her husband, Tom, boating, fishing, and spending time with Bailey, their English Pointer.

You may email Barbara at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Erin

Front Desk Coordinator

Erin joined AFVC in January of 2013.  She serves as front desk coordinator.

Erin graduated from AIB College of Business in Des Moines.  She was born and raised in Denison, Iowa, and moved to Ankeny in 2006 with her family.  She and her husband, Shawn, have two daughters, Morgan and Aubrey.

Erin enjoys spending her free time with her family and reading.

You may email Erin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sydney 

Optician

Sydney joined our team in December of 2017. She readily serves our patients and our team as an optician.  Sydney is always up to date on the latest optical styles and enjoys assisting our patients in choosing the right frames for each individual.

Sydney was born in Des Moines, IA.  She moved to Colfax and then to Newton where she spent most of her childhood and went on to graduate from Newton High School.  Sydney now calls Des Moines home. 

Sydney loves spending time with her family and making others smile.  She is artistic, creative, and we can always count on Sydney to keep us up to date on the current fashion trends.

Elizabeth

Technician

Raised in Saylorville and now an Ankeny resident, Elizabeth is proud to be assisting patients at “Ankeny’s Best” optometry clinic.  She joined our team in January 2017 as an optometric technician, and she looks forward to advancing her knowledge in her career.  She has a goal to become a Certified Paraoptometric by the American Optometric Association in the future. 

Elizabeth graduated from Saydel High School and attended college at DMACC Ankeny Campus.  Her 6 year old daughter, Cali, keeps her busy outside of the office.  They enjoy being outdoors, spending time with family, shopping, and new adventures together.

You may leave Elizabeth a voice message at extension 2011.

Abbey

Technician

AFVC welcomed Abigail (Abbey) in September of 2017.  She energetically serves as an optometric technician.  

Abbey grew up in Nashville, TN but now calls Ankeny home. 

She is very passionate about investing into the Ankeny community not only through AFVC, but also in the Salt Company of Ankeny, a college ministry for DMACC students. She is a trusted Leader of a Connection Group, volunteers time to the Salt Co. Worship Team, and spends her free time mentoring young women.

Bethany

Billing Systems Manager

Bethany joined AFVC in June of 2016. She serves our patient and our team remotely as our Billings System Manager.

Bethany earned her BBA in Finance from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business in 2013. She was born and raised in Urbandale, Iowa and graduated from Dowling Catholic High School.

Bethany now lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Anton, and their one year old son, Aiden. They love spending time together as a family, doing anything surrounding water. They look forward to the summer season as they enjoy camping, swimming, and boating.

You may email Bethany at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Grace

Technician, Business Office

Grace joined AFVC in August of 2017.  She warmly serves as an administrative assistant in the business office. 

Grace attended and graduated college at Faith Baptist Bible College where she studied Office Administration. Originally from Derby, KS, Grace and her husband, Nolan, now reside in Ankeny. 

Grace and her husband are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first born child, a girl!  Grace and her husband enjoy serving together as youth sponsors at Ankeny Baptist Church and investing in the lives of teens.

Raquel

Esthetician

Raquel joined our team in March of 2018 for the opening of Ankeny’s first Optometric Led Eye and Facial Spa. She joined our team as a licensed esthetician. Raquel is
passionate about self-care and the importance of taking care of your body and your skin.

Raquel studied and graduated from PCI Academy with dual licenses. She is also certified in Microdermabrasion, Lash Extensions, and Chemical Peels. Raquel looks forward to
serving the Ankeny community through our Eye and Facial Spa; she enjoys being a part of transitioning individuals into a healthier “you”.

Raquel grew up in Washington, IL; but, Ankeny became her home in 2009. While Raquel enjoys her time at AFVC, her most important role is wife and mom to her twin daughters.
She is a true artist in every sense of the word and exudes creativity.

IWA

Optician

Katrina 

Front Desk

Kirsten 

Front Desk

Kirsten joined AFVC in January of 2018.  She serves our patients and our team as a front desk receptionist.

Kirsten attended DMACC to study Culinary, Business Administration, and Management.  Kirsten was born in San Jose, California. She moved to Iowa with her family at age seven where she later graduated High School from Jefferson Scranton High.  After graduating from DMACC in 2014, Kirsten spread her wings and moved back to California.  She enjoyed three years in California but realized that wasn't her home.  In 2017 Kirsten moved back to Iowa and is proud to now call Ankeny home.

Kirsten has two adorable rescue dogs that complete her family.  In her free time, Kirsten enjoys fishing, camping, and spending her summer days at car shows across the state of Iowa.

Taylar

Taylar recently joined AFVC in January of 2018.  She serves our patients and our team as a receptionist as well as an optometric technician.

Taylar attended Ellsworth Community College where she enjoyed being a member of the college Cheer squad.  She was born in New York and moved to Iowa with her family in 2007.  Taylar attended and graduated school in the Bondurant-Farrar area.

Taylar loves spending time with her family, friends, and her golden retriever.